Conway Denies Report That Trump Was ‘Furious’ After She ‘Went Rogue’ Regarding Romney

MSNBC reported that President-elect Donald Trump was “furious” with senior adviser Kellyanne Conway for stating during a Sunday CNN interview that his supporters would feel “betrayed” if the president-elect chose Mitt Romney as his secretary of state.

MSNBC’s Morning Joerelated Monday that two top Trump aides on the transition team had said the president-elect was not happy with Conway.

According to MSNBC, one source familiar with Trump’s thinking said, “Kellyanne went rogue at Donald Trump’s expense at the worst possible time. Instead of driving Donald Trump’s message, she’s pushing her own agenda.”

Conway explained to CNN’s Dana Bash on State of the Union why she opposes a Romney appointment as secretary of state: “It’s just breathtaking in scope and intensity the type of messages I’ve received from all over the country … the number of people who feel betrayed to think that Gov. Romney would get the most prominent Cabinet post after he went so far out of his way to hurt Donald Trump.”

“[W]e don’t even know if Mitt Romney voted for Donald Trump,” she added. “I think there are concerns that those of us that are loyal have, and we want a secretary of state who’s loyal to the president.”

If Trump chooses Romney as his secretary of state, he will have Conway’s full support, she went on to state.

“I respect the brilliance and judgement and sheer instincts of President-elect Trump to form his Cabinet, as he wishes, but I felt compelled to come forward on behalf of the people who were weighing in,” Conway said.

When pushed on Twitter by establishment Republican and Trump critic Ana Navarro why she did not approach Trump privately regarding the matter, the top adviser responded that she did.

I did tell him privately. And I'll respect his decision. Point is the volume & intensity of grassroots resistance to Romney is breathtaking https://t.co/bknmfGZ13a

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Trump was leaning toward Romney despite the harsh words they had for each other last spring.

As reported by Western Journalism, other Trump loyalists have come out strongly against a possible Romney appointment as secretary of state, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, both of whom are reportedly under consideration for other positions in the new administration.

“I can think of 20 other people who would be more naturally compatible with the Trump vision of foreign policy,” Gingrich said on Fox News on last week.

Gingrich likened Romney to current Secretary of State John Kerry in style and temperament.

He offered U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, former Arizona Sen. John Kyle, former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani as people he would pick instead of Romney.

Giuliani’s name is the name most often mentioned besides Romney for the post. CNN reports, former Gen. David Petraeus and Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker are also under consideration.